ORLANDO, Fla. — A new poll conducted by Florida Atlantic University shows the two top Republican candidates for governor in a near tied race.

The survey, conducted August 16 to 20, sampled 800 registered voters by phone and online.

The results show Congressman Ron DeSantis (32 percent) with a slight lead over Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam (31 percent). Undecided voters account for 22 percent in the poll results.

Putnam’s campaign touted the results Tuesday, saying it shows the gap between GOP rivals closing to a narrow margin.

A FAU poll released last month reportedly showed DeSantis ahead by nine points.

The same poll mirrors results of a recent St. Pete Polls survey, showing former Congresswoman Gwen Graham and former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine leading the pack for Democratic candidates.

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is seeing a recent surge in support, thanks in part to an endorsement from former presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders.
 
The FAU poll results also shows a razor thin difference in the race for U.S. Senate, where Republican Gov. Rick Scott is challenging democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson.

In the race to appear on the November ballot, the FAU poll finds Scott’s number up slightly to 45 percent, compared to Nelson’s declining 39 percent.

When asked about issues, most respondents in the FAU poll say they care most about immigration (27 percent), healthcare (25 percent), and the economy (14 percent).